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Mexico Names a New Consul General for L.A.

LOS ANGELES — An expert in binational economic development has become the new consul general of Mexico in Los Angeles, the Mexican government has announced.

Jose Luis Bernal, 43, took over the office Monday and held a news conference Tuesday.

Bernal took part in the negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement and most recently represented Mexico on a United Nations organization for economic development, said Alberto Aviles, the consul press attache. Prior to that, Bernal was the director general of the Mexican Foreign Service.

As the new consul general, Bernal will be responsible for looking after the interests of more than 3 million Mexican nationals living in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. His office issues passports and identification cards, and also helps Mexican nationals obtain legal representation if they are arrested, said Aviles.